Thursday Wrap: Hostage released

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Raleigh, N.C. — Our long North Carolina nightmare is over.

After 80 days of inaction, negotiations and debate, the House was expected to give final approval to the $21.7 billion state budget shortly after midnight Friday. The Senate approved the spending plan earlier in the week, and Gov. Pat McCrory said Thursday that he would sign it into law when it arrives on his desk later Friday.

Nine House Democrats joined the Republican majority in voting for the budget Thursday night in the first of two required votes. Most Democrats, however, criticized the compromise deal for cutting corporate taxes instead of not giving raises to teachers and state employees and cost-of-living increases retirees.

Meanwhile, the compromise bill outlining the plan to reform the Medicaid program was filed in the Senate. It is expected to be on the floor of the Senate and the House next week.

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